"Thank you Rubani. You were the last to stop digging."
"With all that has happened, though, I have not had a chance to ask if you have a charter, or constitution. What rules do you abide by?"
"We've never been properly introduced, have we? My name is Rubani Madu, traveling cleric. Professional tourist, really. I..."
He stopped again. What in the world were his own qualifications?
"I'm a competent midwife."
ic: The sound of Shalina's laugh once again filled the room. "Judging from your vestments, you are more than just competent. To be chosen as a representative of Pharasma is quite an honor. Very pleased to meet you, Rubani. I consider myself quite lucky to be traveling with one who serves the Lady of the Graves."
Alright, Turn 013 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Not having recognized the older Osiriani deity, Naomi asked "What became of Anubis? It sounds like he may have once been closely allied with the Lady, but I'm afraid I learned nothing of him in my own studies thus far."
Upon reading the warning to everyone, she bowed her head and added "Not grave robbers my Lady. We serve you in this as all things. The Church has decreed that this tomb will be opened. But, we will show respect to Akhentepi."
"Do any of you think we should light torches here before continuing?"
Naomi lent her strength to the others to force open the great wheel protecting the tomb. She followed Shalina into the tomb and tilted her head at the sight of the piton and rope. "We are not the first then? Someone has visited Akhentepi's tomb in the past. I wonder what this mystery means?"
Once debate over a course of action ensued, she suggested, "I see no reason we shouldn't take advantage of this piton and descend by rope ourselves. But, it would be best to make sure there isn't a trap set here to cut our rope as this one was cut in the past." She peered at the stone in the area 5 feet into the shaft where the rope appeared to be cut.
"Those are reasonable restrictions. I can see there are hypothetical situations where they should not apply, but they are rare situations indeed."
"I understand." Azghaad looked hauntedly at Thane "Your family is too important to you to risk abandoning them. I need to purchase supplies- my team's were largely lost - perhaps I can buy some of those you will no longer need."
After curt greetings, the group made its way to the tomb of Akhentepi. The front doors were clear of sand and the scorpions carcasses were already starting to bleach after a day in the sun. With a crowbar and some huffing, the double stone doors were opened into a rectangular room.
As the crowbar is fitted between the doors, Azghaad silently beseeches his god to prevent a repetition of yesterday's tragedy.
Nethys, we come here in search of knowledge. Please, respect that and do not let the Guardian of Graves claim any more lives prematurely.
Azghaad was entranced by the glyphs and carvings, carefully noting them in his book. Over and over he had read of archaeological expeditions, but this was the first time he had actually been inside a tomb. He had been chosen to wait outside when... At the memory of yesterday, Azghaad's elation subsides and he turned to serious scholarly work.
Priests of Nethys make great use of one spell above all, one that opens the senses to the auras of the arcane and divine. Azghaad cast it, then carefully checked the room again.
Azghaad continued his careful (and magical) observations. When he was confident there was no magic present he muttered some words, broke a twig and four tiny animated balls of fire sprung into existence.
"Let us see what we have" he called out, and sent the four lights dancing down into the opening.
Azghaad continued his careful (and magical) observations. When he was confident there was no magic present he muttered some words, broke a twig and four tiny animated balls of fire sprung into existence.
"Let us see what we have" he called out, and sent the four lights dancing down into the opening.
The dancing lights were lowered down the 10-foot square shaft as everyone peered over the edge to see what was down there. The lights illuminated slick walls for about 50' where the shaft ended and opened up into some sort of chamber. The floor of this chamber seemed to be ten feet below the shaft and appeared tiled but covered with dust. Given the awkward geometry, it was not possible to see into the lower room from 60' above.
Lit by Azghaad's flames, Naomi peered more closely at the walls of the shaft. "Looks far too smooth for a physical blade to be hidden within those walls. I don't think that is what cut the rope. Magic perhaps?" Clutching her holy symbol, Naomi offers a prayer to Pharasma and inspects the shaft again, this time looking for magical auras aside from Azghaad's lights.
Actions 1:
Ref: Azghaad, Shalina, and Akhmose slowly read how the writing and engravings described the life of the tomb's enshrined occupant, Akhentepi, a celebrated military commander who presided over the troops garrisoned in Wati prior to the city's downfall.
The hieroglyphs also warned, "Akhentepi's tomb is well defended, and those who defile it, tempt the wrath of the gods." An additional warning advised, "The only thing the Lady of Graves despises more than the grave robber is the unsuccessful admonishment to "turn back while you can."
ic: Shalina whistled low in appreciation for all of the amazing feats that Akhentepi had accomplished. She did not know much about the man but already respected the commander for having lived a life worthy of having such a structure erected to honor and protect him in death. She was about to begin elaborating on what the engravings said with the group when she remembered that they were on the clock. The fact that they depicted his life would have to be enough for now.
When she read the warnings, she immediately thought challenge accepted but didn’t think that this was an appropriate response to share with the group. Unable to keep the smile of excitement off her face she said, “We had better be careful and on guard. It has been my experience that if they warn you, they back it up with deed.”Actions 2:
Ref: The rope extended only 5 feet into the shaft before ending, having been cut at that point. The rope was thoroughly rotted and crumbled when Shalina pulled it up.
ic: The fact that the rope was cut off at 5 feet was a definite warning to Shalina that the tunnel may contain a trap…that or the person that made it into this room had been short-sighted about their equipment. She was just about to generate some light to get a better look when Azghaad sent his lights down the tunnel. As she looked over the edge with the rest, she wondered about how they could see into the room at the bottom.
No magic has been detected and no traps have been detected. Did you notice my non-committal statements? :)
The mirror trick won't work because it's too far below (50 to 60 feet).
Also, I'm not sure I mentioned this but the Pharasmin will want proof that the site you were assigned has been thoroughly investigated before they assign you a new site. Therefore, start thinking of what you will do to prove that to them. We'll cross that bridge once we get there but there may be things that you want to do as you explore the sites.
Other questions?
Game on!
No.
The wheel was very difficult to move. The 'shaft' (vertical tunnel) is not round but rather a 10' square.
More questions?
No pattern was found. I wouldn't jump down but you do have to come up with some sort of plan to get down there if you want to continue exploring.
Game on!
Actions 2:
"I do worry that if we get down someone will cut the rope and we'll be trapped down there. Conversely, I don't want to leave people we need down there up here."
"I say we because I should be one of the climbers. I have a spell that protects against falling damage."
"Perhaps we should attach some rope and send down a decoy object. If a blade swings out of the wall, no-one is lost. How much rope do we have?"
Shalina dug in her pack and rifled for items. "I have this grappling hook, about 50 feet of rope, and a bedroll that I'm not that fond of to act as a decoy.". She shrugged, "We could fill it with sand to give it more bulk and tie up the ends to the rope before lowering it down."
Yes, you can have his mule.
Guys, I need a concrete plan for you to get down there. I need something to move this game forward so please help me out. :) Recap is coming tonight.
Questions?
Game on!
Rubani couldn't help but smile as he thought back on last evening. A child was to bless the Blackwolf residence. He wished them all the best. The coming of a child was a great thing to most, but within the Pharasmin faith it was divine. And here he was, outside the tomb of Akhentepi, tossing his clothes under the sun.
From the babe within the womb to the corpse resting in the tomb, eh? the half-elf reflected as he packed away his heavy vestments. His lot in life got increasingly ridiculous, but he couldn't help but regard the news of Sarenei's pregnancy as a sign from the Mother of Souls.
The cleric finally unpacked his chain shirt and slipped it on. He hated wearing the heavy thing, but it had certainly kept him whole so far. That counted for something. He then took a deep breath and entered the tomb. It was go time. Did I say 'resting in the tomb'? Well, let's find out if that's the case...
Having joined the rest of the party (not without a crestfallen look at the imagery of the death goddess herself) he found them deliberating their next move over an open pit. Apparently someone had been here before and had perhaps fallen upon some trap. The news distressed Rubani. So that's where that mark on the front doors came from... Grave robbers?
"I have this grappling hook, about 50 feet of rope, and a bedroll that I'm not that fond of to act as a decoy. We could fill it with sand to give it more bulk and tie up the ends to the rope before lowering it down."
The half-elf liked the idea. "Yes, best to proceed with caution, Miss Sekh-at. We should try bumping the walls of the shaft as the decoy descends too. If the trap is mechanical in nature that might help to trigger it."
Shalina knew what she was doing. Rubani wasn't sure is he should he distressed or relieved at the thought that she might have done something like this before.
Turn 014 is up.
Read the OOC (I want answers). :)
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Fabian
PS: We missed our dwarf paladin. :( Hopefully, it was just an isolated event and he'll soon be involved in the game.
EDIT: Sorry Azghaad but your last post was not incorporated into the turn.
Akhmose rose early, eager for the day he would be allowed in the Necropolis. Long ago, his clan had served the Pharaohs as guards, and long ago they had been banished. But his clan had not forgotten their duty, and through many generations had made their offers of service. This was not the honored position they had once held, but it was a chance to serve, and redeem the clan's honor. Through some family contacts, he had been given the chance to join the Grave Guard. He greeted them with a bow and introduced himself as Akhmose Stoneguard, a paladin devoted to the old gods.
Akhmose studied the chambers. As a dwarf and a stonemason, he felt comfortable in the sparse environment. He looked around with a practiced eye for any type of traps or hidden chambers. He took some time to study the hieroglyphics and nodded admiringly at the skill of the ancient stonecarvers and architects. He smiled upon seeing the visage of Anubis and touched his ankh reverentially. "Anubis, guardian of the dead. It seems the builders honored the new and old gods. We should do the same." He went about setting torches in the sconces to provide illumination to the chamber.
Looking at the dangling rope, he agreed with Shalina. "A decoy is a good plan. Be patient, like the stone." He goes about helping prepare a dummy to lower.
The paladin worried a bit that the rope would support his weight in armor, but experience moving heavy stones told him it would hold. As he reached the bottom, he looked up and hoped the rope would remain there. "I home someone secured the door so no one can disturb the rope from the top."
As his attention turned to the fallen body, he proceeded with caution.
He waited to see if someone more prepared to deal with traps wanted to investigate before using a short spear that he carried to overturn the body, looking for arrows or other signs indicating a cause of death.
No problem. I updated the last turn recap (014) to incorporate your posts.
Yes, in general terms, but I foresee some interesting RP opportunities when it comes time to take and divide treasure.
Welcome aboard!
it's because I edited it with the last post from Akhmose and I can't delete the first post. Use the one at the bottom.
"“We had better be careful and on guard. It has been my experience that if they warn you, they back it up with deed.”
Azghaad raised an eyebrow at the admission of tomb robbing, but said nothing.
Action 1:
Azghaad looked about the chamber appreciatively. This was what he'd thought this exercise would be about. Scholars carefully moving about ancient tombs, untouched by the footsteps of men since before the Ghostgrove died.
Pulling out his spellbook he carefully started sketching his impressions of the artwork on the door and the body...
The body...
Action 2:
"So, do you think he was trying to open the doors hoping to get out because his rope was cut, and just died here? Or were the doors somehow trapped?"
"I've enough knowledge of engineering and mechanisms to have a reasonable idea of how to disable most traps, but little experience in actually seeing them before too late."
"Shalina, you said you had some... experience. Akhmose, many dwarves are renowned for their skill with stone, are you one of them?"
Rubani looked up the shaft the party had just descended and gulped. The rope softly dangling there was their life line. Their lives were quite literately hanging by a thread.
Well, no use contemplating his hypothetical demise here. If that was the destiny his Lady had ordained for him, then he would have to accept that. The cleric was more concerned with getting his team members out of here safely.
Speaking of those team members, Akhmose was examining the corpse laying in front of the doors leading deeper into the tomb. Was this the unfortunate grave robber whom they had seen signs of previously?
"Here, Mr. Stoneguard, let me help you with that."
Together the two overturned the body and Rubani then set about scrutinizing the deceased with practiced, and reverent, fingers. He was no stranger to handling corpses.
"Now then, you unfortunate soul," he almost whispered. "Is there anything your bones can tell us about how you departed this world?"
Rubani determined that the body was that of a male human or half-elf who obviously died down here. Both of the body's legs were broken from a fall from a great height, and the unfortunate man apparently crawled to the doors before he expired.
Akhmose and Rubani also found that the corpse's gear had suffered decades of rot and rust and was mostly unusable, though a thorough search yielded a couple of metal pitons and a usable hammer, as well as two vials of alchemist's fire that had remained miraculously unbroken.
"Shalina, you said you had some... experience. Akhmose, many dwarves are renowned for their skill with stone, are you one of them?"
"I am a stonemason by trade, and have some skill in finding secret doors, but little knowledge of traps.The dwarf replies in a soft voice.
Action 1:
Ref: A few minutes later and they had all descended 60’ below Wati, to a place that was built almost 2,000 years in the past. The air was musty in this 20’ square room; the tiled floor was covered in a thin veneer of dust and fine sand, and the silence was... oppressive.
Shalina’s pulse was racing in anticipation of what may be found to have been buried with Akhentepi. In the absolute silence that she found herself in, her racing pulse sounded like tribal drums pounding in her ears. The musty air reminded her of the old books her mother would have piled around the study when she was little and a small smile crept across her face as she looked around the room. She could hardly believe that she was submerged in the history that she had spent so much time reading about.
Action 2:
While some of the others attended the body lying on the floor, Shalina studied the room. The ornate doors immediately drew the bard’s eyes to them and she went for a closer look.
"So, do you think he was trying to open the doors hoping to get out because his rope was cut, and just died here? Or were the doors somehow trapped?"
"I would think that either he was part of a team who did not want to share what was found leading to the first one up cutting the rope while that poor soul was climbing up after...or he ran into someone who did not want him to see the light of day again. The doors may be trapped but I doubt that had anything to do with his demise."
"I've enough knowledge of engineering and mechanisms to have a reasonable idea of how to disable most traps, but little experience in actually seeing them before too late."
"Shalina, you said you had some... experience.
Shalina nodded as Azghaad addressed her. “I have some training in what kind of signs to look for when dealing with traps…that and I am awfully lucky,” she added with a wink. “Quick reflexes are handy in case a trap is triggered but I also have training in how to disarm what I find. I can take a look at whatever area we enter before the others to make sure it is safe. If everyone agrees, I will start with taking a look at these doors to make sure we can proceed. I also can help somewhat with detecting secret entrances in a pinch.”
"Mr. Stoneguard, can I intrude upon you? If you could just... yes, exactly. Thank you."
Rubani unpacked his clerical vestments and slipped them under the dusty bones with some help from Akhmose. He then swaddled the remains in the fabric and gently drew them away from the doors, into a corner, so that they would not obstruct Shalina in her trap finding. He intended to bury them later. Tomb robber or not, the unknown intruder deserved his own grave. Magnificent though it was, the Tomb of Akhentepi was not his. Rubani would just have to wash his robe later. That was alright. It had survived far worse.
"I would think that either he was part of a team who did not want to share what was found leading to the first one up cutting the rope while that poor soul was climbing up after...or he ran into someone who did not want him to see the light of day again. The doors may be trapped but I doubt that had anything to do with his demise."
"You would be correct in thinking so, Miss Sekh-at. I'm fairly sure the man died as a result of a fall; both his legs are broken. The shaft we descended and the, perhaps faulty, rope we found are the most likely culprits."
The half-elf thought back on the hieroglyphics in the chamber above: 'The only thing the Lady of Graves despises more than the grave robber is the unsuccessful grave robber.'
Unsuccessful grave robber indeed.
He stood back to let Shalina practice her skills on the doors.
Ok, so Lara er... Shalina will be the trap monkey. :)
With regards to treasure; I'll take your suggestions; if no suggestion is provided then I'll allocate myself or roll for it, whatever makes most sense.
I'll keep a list of any 'non-usable' treasure to be sold or distributed later when it makes sense to do so.
We'll go up levels whenever it makes sense at which time we'll adjust the PC wealth according to Paizo guidelines.
Naomi? You're still with us, yes?
I'll probably recap tomorrow.
Questions?
Game on!
Just some DM dice...
Akhmose assisted the cleric as best he can. "You may call me Akhmose, no need for formality....I suppose you are no stranger to death, as a cleric of Pharasma?"
After investigating the body was done, he took out a sketchbook and made some quick sketches of the doors, noting the architectural motifs used around the chamber while Shalina looked for traps. "I believe this figure is Akhentepi himself. See how he holds the khopesh aloft--generals were often depicted this way."
20/20 hp
5/5 Lay on Hands 1d6
2/2 Stonestrike (melee attack is magical/adamantine, ignores 4 hardness, +1 attack/damage/CMB/CMD while on ground)
consumables
10 bolts
1 alkali flask
Azghaad showed little interest in the corpse, content to leave it to the Pharasmins, but does add.
"If you wish, I could cremate him."
When Akhmose began explaining the symbology of the carvings, her perked up
"Fascinating Akhmose! I have sketched the image as best I can, but I am no artist. Could you check I have captured the important details properly?"
Turn 015 is up.
Alright, good turn. I think we're all getting the hang of it and it's starting to read like a little chapter in an ongoing story.
Naomi?
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Shalina: I'm thinking that Shalina will cast detect magic to also help herself with finding traps. She'll also use her archaeologist's luck to add to her perception roll.
Also, I think it would be in her character to purposely trigger a trap provided that there is no real danger in doing so. If there is ever such a case, if you could give me a heads up then I can write something up.
------------
DM: Ok, Detect Magic will help with some magical traps but not the 'regular' kind.
I'm afraid her archaeologist luck won't do you much good in trap finding because I'm assuming that you 'take 20' so you would have burned it off in the first room.
I think t's better to use it to disarm a trap once you find it or to use it for the save against a trap should you trigger it.
I'l let you know when you find a trap so you can disarm it with a flourish, coming up next turn a s matter of fact. :)
Game on!
---------------
Shalina: Can Shalina figure out what the trap is and what it does?
----------------
DM: it depends on your disable device check.
If you beat it by 10 or more then you can figure out how it works and bypass it without triggering it.
If you beat it by less than 10 then you 'jam' it and can bypass it.
If you fail by 4 or less then nothing happens and you can try again.
If you fail by 5 or more then you trigger it (and it could reset).
You can have people help you (guidance spells and/or help other).
A good description will also get you some bonus from the DM. :)
This where a PBEM is better (IMO) since you would describe a success and I'll roll and describe what actually happened but feel free to roll your own dice. (trap DC=20)
More questions?
Naomi takes time to inspect the carvings as everyone makes their way down the corridor. He does not appear to have been a religious man in life, but a mighty warrior indeed.
When Shalini issued her warning, Naomi echoed, "A pressure plate in front of the doors Shalini?" She looked ahead, trying to see the door closely without approaching or getting in the way. "Can you see what it triggers? It might not be the doors. Do you think we could withdraw from the corridor and toss or slide the pitons onto the pressure plate?"
Akhmose gave an appreciative nod as Shalina pointed out the trap. He looked around for any sign of release mechanisms or hidden doors, his mind recalling tales of passageways trapped with darts, blades, and other mechanical devices. "Well, miss, do you think you can get by this?"
Shalina took out her tools and she began humming a song to herself. As she hummed she could feel the magic flow through her blood and was confident that if this trap had magical components that it would come to her mind. She studied the area and looked for a place where she could access the mechanism and figure out how the trap worked.
"Well, miss, do you think you can get by this?"
A confident smile spread across Shalina's face, "We shall soon see."
[ooc]I added 1 for the archaeologists's luck. If this was used in error then subtract it from my total
Patience was not always her strong suit and when Shalina couldn't figure out right away how to disarm the trap, she decided that jamming it would be adequate this time.
Over the years, Shalina had added useful items to her tool kit since lock picks weren't always sufficient. She pulled out a couple metal shims and a small hammer. She gently knocked the shims into position between the pressure plates and the floor until she was satisfied that they'd be able to walk on them without triggering the trap.
To test her theory, she sprang to her feet and stepped onto the plates before jumping up and down on them a few times. Shalina felt a rush in that moment between not knowing whether something would happen or not. When nothing untoward occurred she bowed slightly while sweeping her arm towards the doors, "Shall we proceed?"
tag everyone
@Naomi: The alchemist fires were discussed and allocated (1 to Shalina and 1 to Naomi). See my post #185 above to see how I'll deal with treasure.
I will NOT be micromanaging inventory except magical items. So you can assume that you have pitons, hammers, rope, tents, rations, water, torches, etc. If it makes sense for rolepaying purposes (i.e., water in desert travel) then we'll track certain items more closely.
@Akhmose: it may have been me but Akhentepi is wielding a khopesh in one figure and a spear in another.
ALL: I'll wait for a couple more posts before this game along.
Questions?
Having pushed the doors open Akhmose turned to the cleric. "You may call me Akhmose, no need for formality....I suppose you are no stranger to death, as a cleric of Pharasma?"
"Ah, sorry about that," Rubani answered with a somewhat sheepish smile. "Old habits die hard and so forth. Akhmose it is. And yes, death is not exactly unknown to me. Actually, I guess it is what informed said habit. Death has the curious property of lending solemnity to people. It is, for example, difficult to not address the grieving at a funeral with proper honorifics. Heh."
In truth the half-elf also referred to others by their last names as an expression of how separated he felt from the common man, precisely because of his blood, but this wasn't something Rubani liked to speak nor even think of.
"But you, Akhmose; I understand that you worship gods a bit more... forgive me, older than my own. You must tell me more of your faith some time. I have long held a great interest in Ancient Osirion and its culture."
The two walked through the doors with the rest of the party, only for the cleric to stop in his tracks as Shalina reported that they were about to walk straight into a trap. Rubani sighed. He really didn't need any more reminders that they were deeply unwelcome here.
The fear of falling victim to some thousand-year old snare was short lived, however. Shalina quickly declared herself victorious in this contest between ancient apparatus and deft fingers.
"Shall we proceed?"
"My appreciation for your company grows by the minute, Miss Sekh-at," Rubani smiled.
Seeing the archaeologist pull out her tools, Naomi nervously interjected "Um. I have a lot more experience with stand up fighting. If you don't mind, I'll watch you from over..." Naomi scuttled back up the hall with visions of flooded corridors, walls squashing intrepid explorers and poisonous gas in her thoughts."...here." she finished as she arrived back in the room with the rope.
With Salini's announcement that the trap had been disarmed, Naomi shouldered her scythe and returned to the doors. "Did you figure out what it would do?"
"My appreciation for your company grows by the minute, Miss Sekh-at," Rubani smiled.
Shalina returned Rubani's smile, "You flatter me. We will wait until we encounter a trap that I cannot disable and then we shall see if you still appreciate my company."
"Did you figure out what it would do?"
Shalina shook her head, "Not this time; however, sometimes you just need to be able to walk and a floor and not know why."
Naomi nodded, "Well, better to not know than find out the hard way." She moved up to the doors, unable to resist testing the plate to make sure it wasn't going to trigger. "Exquisite artwork here. Do you think it conceals any more traps or shall we push things open?" Once the doors were declared safe, Naomi helped to open them up.
"I admire you skill, Shalina. I'm sure you have succeeded, but given the consequences would you mind talking me through it?"
"But you, Akhmose; I understand that you worship gods a bit more... forgive me, older than my own. You must tell me more of your faith some time. I have long held a great interest in Ancient Osirion and its culture."
"I would just like to say... having read of so much religious conflicts in the world, I am delighted to see that - at least in our little group - reasonable people acting reasonably. It makes me wonder how many of those conflicts simply used religion as an excuse."